False Hope and Certain Hope
A.W. Tozer explores the distinction between false hope and the certain hope found in Christ and God's promises.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that true hope is exclusive to Christians, as it is rooted in the power of God and His unchanging promises. He contrasts this with false hopes held by those who lack a relationship with Christ, warning that without the great High Priest, their expectations are baseless. Tozer reassures believers that their hope is secure, anchored in the promises of God, and encourages them to align their anticipations with Scripture. He highlights the importance of recognizing the difference between worldly hopes and the certain hope found in God's love and mercy. Ultimately, he concludes that hope is essential for enduring life's challenges and is a source of joy in the promise of eternal life.
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Only a Christian has a right to hope, for only he has the power of God to give substance to his hope. The man who hopes in Christ is as safe as the rainbow-circled throne where sits the God who cannot lie. Such a man has a moral right to look upward and quietly wait for the fulfillment of every promise. Let him but see to it that his anticipations conform to the revealed Word of God and he has nothing to doubt or fear in life or in death. His loftiest flights of fancy cannot outsoar the promises of God to those that love Him and that hope in His mercy.
Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 6:17-20).
Hope without the great High Priest is a false hope. How dare they look forward with cheerful expectation of blessedness to come who are not protected by the oath nor held steadfast by the anchor? What is certain about human hopes? Yet millions go on assuming that all is well with their souls when they have never known the forgiving love of God nor felt the kiss of His approval. They nourish the flimsy hope that they are not so bad after all and that "God's a good fellow and 'twill all be well." The worldly minded hope that they are children of God. The impenitent and unrenewed dream of the reward of the righteous and those whose nature fits them for hell pensively hope that they will enter heaven at last.
Earth is bearable because there is hope. Hell is unendurable because all hope has fled. Heaven is eternal beatitude because hope is there in radiant fulfillment.
"For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, ... I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more" (Psalm 71:5, 14).
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The nature of true hope - The role of God in providing hope - The significance of Christ as our High Priest
- II points: - The dangers of false hope - Common misconceptions about hope - The consequences of misplaced hope
- III points: - The assurance of hope in God's promises - The importance of aligning hope with Scripture - The eternal nature of hope in heaven
- IV points: - Hope as an anchor for the soul - The unchanging nature of God's purpose - Encouragement through God's oaths
Key Quotes
“Only a Christian has a right to hope, for only he has the power of God to give substance to his hope.” — A.W. Tozer
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” — A.W. Tozer
“Earth is bearable because there is hope.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Examine your hopes to ensure they align with God's Word.
- Recognize the importance of Christ as the foundation of your hope.
- Cultivate a hope that is anchored in the promises of God for encouragement in difficult times.